IMPORTANT DATES:

December 14                Progress reports issued.
December 24 – Jan 1    Winter Break—schools closed.
January 2                     Schools reopen

January 17 End of marking period, schools close 3 hours early.

January 18                   Professional Work Day—schools closed for students
January 21                   Martin Luther King, Jr. Day—schools and office closed.

INTRAMURAL SCHEDULE
STUDENTS MUST HAVE A SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP ON FILE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE
SIGN-UP SHEETS ARE POSTED IN THE CAFETERIA

Imani Club 12/11; 1/8; 2/5; 2/26; 4/15; 5/20 and 6/10
Coed Basketball 1/11; 1/29; 1/31 and 2/7

Please note: Intramurals are from 3:10 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Dear Friends and Families of Lime Kiln Middle School,

Brrr…it’s cold outside! But, we’re still going outside for recess. Amazing but true—we still have students coming to school in shorts and t-shirts. Please help us make sure they are wearing appropriate warm clothes.

As we approach the winter break, the school receives numerous requests for assignments due to multiple absences. Our teachers make every effort to accommodate for the missed work; however, most work will be provided after the student returns. Please try to be in school every day.

Unite with us to raise the level of discourse and courtesy. Unfortunately, our older students are exposed to words or phrases in the media that are not acceptable in the school setting. It is our job to prepare students for professional settings. Join us in working with our students when these concerns arise both at home and in the school settings. Also, be aware of what your student is writing on the internet or what websites he/she is visiting. In other words, let’s all be vigilant!

This week, as we continue through the 25 Rules of Civility from the book, Choosing Civility by P. M. Forni, we focus on Rule 13: Keep it down (and rediscovere silence) . Below are highlights from that chapter:

Please join us this Monday, December 10th at 7 p.m. for the annual Winter Band and Orchestra Concert. I know our students and teachers have been working hard to prepare for this special time of year.

Sincerely,
Brenda Thomas

Our students of the week are: Jamie Troll, Brendan Sheehy, Brooke Smith, John Staggers, Peyton Wells, Kaede Johnson, Megan Sterling, and Kathryn Varga.

THE RULES OF CIVILITY:

Rule 13. Keep It Down (and Rediscover Silence)

Don’t pummel those who live with and around you with loud sounds coming from your television, computer, & CD player. Make sure you don’t schedule noisy lawn mowing & leaf blowing before nine in the morning. Abstain from frivolous honking. Use is only to increase road safety. Headphones are a must when listening to music on public transportation.

Before entering houses of worship, libraries, restaurants & theaters, turn off your cellular telephone.

In an age when background noises are virtually constant, we are slowly becoming inured to noise. At the same time, many of us are ready to reacquaint ourselves with silence. Silence is not necessarily the sign of a failure to communicate. Instead, it can be the refreshing result of a choice. Through silence, we build bridges to our own souls. There is an urgent need for gatherers of tranquility.

GT Program Information-GT Testing 2008
            Teachers and parents may nominate students in grades 6 and 7 for testing based on classroom performance, and/or participation in advanced-level program offerings. If you would like to nominate your child for GT testing, please send Mrs. Spillman an email request by December 22nd. Once I have received your email request, I will send a testing permission form home with your child. Parent permission must be secured prior to test administration. The test will be given on February 5, 2008. This is for possible inclusion in the GT program next year.
            Students currently participating in a GT class are eligible to continue in that discipline next year. This also applies to 8th graders for high school registration. Refer to the 07-08 catalog of Approved High School Courses for course prerequisites. Students currently enrolled in the HCPSS are tested once each year and are not to be tested outside the February testing window. Students new to the school system will be tested in September.
            If you have any questions please email tracy_spillman@hcpss.org

HEALTH ROOM…Hearing and vision for 8th grade will be held on January 6th and 7th, The rescreen date will be on February 6th. Please remind students to bring/wear their glasses.
Volunteers are needed for these dates. If you are able to volunteer or you have any questions, please call Lori Miller at 410-880-5996.

Please mark your calendars: Reservoir's Parent Orientation Evening will be January 9th in our auditorium at 7:00 PM for all parents of incoming 9th graders. Our tradition is to make it Parents Only! Please feel free to advise your communities!!! We look forward to seeing all of you on November 28th at RHS for our articulation, as well!!!! We will have lunch for principals, ITL's, and counselors at 1:00 in Student Services. All schools have agreed to send their teachers to the media center by 2:30 to articulate!!!
Diane McCarthy
9th Grade Counselor (G-Z)
Reservoir High School

GREEN SCHOOLS INFORMATION COLUMN
This past week we began a Rapid Results research project around energy use in the building, especially those items left on all night or when not in use. The preliminary results showed that about 30 % if the classroom TVs were left on overnight and students will be working to continuously improve this. Invitations will be issued to students during this week’s morning news show to think about working with Mr. Keddell to identify a project that could be done to make a difference in our Green School objectives as well as in our world in general. Perhaps there are families who would like to work on a bluebird trail for the school or a TREE-MENDOUS project or build track “traps” to help us with our local animal survey objectives. As we go, we hope more and more people will become involved.

SERVICE LEARING NEWS
Lime Kiln Middle School is in the final stages of planning, in full cooperation with partner the Earth Treks Climbing Centers, a program to be entitled “Shared Summits’ Climb for Hope.” This Mt Kilimanjaro Expedition will feature climbers who are cancer survivors and an entire program of learning will be planned for 7th graders during CORE + as well as for an after school group through the Youth Development Center. Both the CORE+ program as well as the after school “Sherpa” Team will be a great addition to our Service Learning programming. We will continue announcing plans as they are finalized. We hope to include a special “family night” featuring speakers on Cancer Research and world class mountaineers from Earth Treks. Don’t forget to watch the NBC sports special on December 16th at 2:00. The documentary of Earth Treks 2007 successful summit of K2, the Savage Mountain, will be featured. The program has Emmy Award hopes.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER (YDC)
The Aqua Havens team is proud to announce the successful breeding of two of our endangered species, one from Madagascar and one from Lake Victoria on the African Continent. The team received training in “maximizing the yield as the eggs were taken from mom’s mouth and placed into an incubator where they will be gently tumbled by aerator. Most cichlids are mouth brooders and the young fry require protection from other fish in the tank and in the world of the closed aquarium, this can be done in an incubator. Watch this space for the announcement of the Shared Summits Climb for Hope After School Program.

PARENT CONNECTIONS…Join us for information, sharing,caring and mutual support
Parenting a child with challenging behaviors is tough. Parenting a child whose symptoms are emotional and behavioral can be a nightmare. You are not alone! Come join other parents, caregivers, and family members experiencing similar issues. Other parents going through similar challenges can be a great resource. Come meet others who know first hand the difficulties your family faces. Share your struggles and successes. We offer encouragement and understanding in a supportive environment.

Facilitators are NAMI parent volunteers. Join us the last Wednesday of the month (except July ) 2007-2008, (Dec. 19*, Jan, 30, Feb. 27, Mar. 26, Apr. 30, May 28, June 25)
7:30 – 9:00 p.m., Faulkner Ridge Center, 10598 Marble Fawn Ct., Columbia.

Come when you can. You do not need to be a member of NAMI. FREE. More information, questions: call Susan at 410-772-9300

From the PTA:

REFLECTIONS CONTEST DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING! - All Reflection entries must be received no later than December 10th to participate in the contest and to get extra credit from your teachers. The rules, entry form and entry drop box are in the front office. We can't wait to see all your creative entries in Literature, Art, Photography, Dance, Video and Music. All participants and their families will be informed of the Awards Ceremony date. It's not too late to participate ... start getting creative now!

Reflections Chair, Judi Neckritz
443-535-8632 jneckritz@comcast.net

WHAT’S UP NEXT WITH THE HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE? Well, we are asking for COOKIES; lots and lots of COOKIES. Homemade is great but no COOKIES will be turned away. We need dozens and dozens of COOKIES! December 20 is drop off day! Please contact Moira Monk at mdmonks@comcast.net if you would like to donate COOKIES to the Hospitality committee.

Box Tops for Education Here’s how it works: Every time you use a General Mills or Betty Crocker product please look on the product to see if they have a "Box Tops for Education" Logo on it (see sample below). If it does, then cut it out and send it in. Ask your friends and family to help. It costs you nothing and we get $.10 for each box top logo you bring in. The Campbell’s Soup “Labels for Education” are not part of the program.

A great big THANK YOU to all the parents and students who helped make our November 19 Conference Day Dinner a success! The teachers and staff were treated to a cozy dinner of soup, salad, assorted rolls and many desserts. Without everyone’s assistance, we could not have hosted such a lovely dinner. Thank you to Mrs. Dupski for letting us use her room, it made it so much easier. When you see the people listed below, please thank them for a job well done: Tonya Howes, Kathy Liu, Angie Feeney, Adora Wonodi, Jessica Rinaldi, Jenny Leopold, Katie DeBlasis, Maureen Bentz, Pat Wheeler, Barbara Sherry, Avis Dyson, Sandy Rogers, Caitlyn Rogers, Sean Rogers, Donna Collins, Sarah King, Stephanie Harman, Leanne Glueck, Moira Monk, Maureen Monk, Jack Monk, Mary Kay Pappadeas, Kathy Taylor, Leslie Lutz, Kim Stubbings, Eliza Stubbings, Lynn Martins, Tracy Fultz, Debbie Tayman, Tracy McLaughlin, Alex Dunbar, Monica Spain, Mary Rose Jobst, and anyone we may have inadvertently left off the list. THANK YOU!

FRIDGE NOTE – SAVE THE DATES:

Weds, Feb. 27th Three Brothers “Gotta Eat” Night

Watch for details regarding this no-pain/all gain fundraiser in upcoming Leopard’s Tale issues.

PTA MEMBERSHIP NEWS

If you have not joined the PTA, you missed out on winning the Flypen. The drawing was held last Thursday during the morning announcements. The PTA would like to congratulate PATRICIA WHEELER for winning the Pen. Patricia received her Flypen last Saturday. Thank you to all of you who have joined. We still are seeking members, so if you have not sent in your dues, please do it right away. It's not too late. Any questions regarding membership, contact Jeanne Lineberry at jeanne_lineberry@verizon.net or (301) 317-1766.

Used Ink Cartridges - The Music Department is collecting used ink cartridges and cell phones. Please send them in and put them in the Box Top Box in the school foyer.

From HC DrugFree:
Below is a link to a short article on Yahoo's front page on what's in energy drinks, with amounts of caffeine, and commentary on combining energy drinks with alcohol. Along the same lines as the energy drinks article in the Fall 2007 issue of the HC DrugFree newsletter (which you can view at www.hcdrugfree.org.)

The Downsides of Bottled Water and Energy Drinks
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/12252/the-downsides-of-bottled-water-and-energy-drinks

PTA Events for December through February:

2007

DECEMBER

7:00 PTA Meeting

2008

JANUARY

           7   7:30 PTAC Meeting
         23    PTA Meeting
         28    3:15 SIT Meeting

FEBURARY

School Drama Production

5     7:30 PTAC Meeting
         6     4:00 Staff Conference Dinner
         13    2:15 6TH Grade Honor Roll
         14    2:15 7th Grade Honor Roll
       15    2:15 8th Grade Honor Roll
       20    PTA Meeting
         25    3:15 SIT Meeting

Gotta Eat ‘Three Brothers”